Thesis
Modeling the climatic suitability of Fopius arisanus and its host fly Bactrocera dorsalis
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
12/2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102328
Abstract
Invasive Dacine fruit flies are ranked high on quarantine lists and result in huge economic loses to the fruit industry. These flies are quickly spreading across the world. Releasing parasitoids for control of fruit flies is showing great success in reducing fly populations. In particular, Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of Tephritid fruit flies, has been released and successfully established in certain locations around the world and has significantly decreased fruit fly populations, especially for its preferred host, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Rearing costs of F. arisanus were initially high, and only recently dropped. Releasing F. arisanus in areas that are climatically suitable, rather than in areas that are not will increase the chances of establishment and decrease costs. This study created correlative niche models for B. dorsalis and F. arisanus to pinpoint suitable release locations for the parasitoid. Previous niche models were created for B. dorsalis, yet none exist for F. arisanus. Niche models for B. dorsalis and F. arisanus performed well with Test AUCcv values > 0.9. Temperature seasonality contributed the most to the B. dorsalis model and precipitation of the wettest quarter was second highest and had the highest gain for the F. arisanus model. The calculated niche overlap statistic (I) was 0.759 and Schoener's D was 0.462, indicating high niche overlap between F. arisanus and B. dorsalis. B. dorsalis occurrences included Köppen-Geiger Climate Classes, which were not in the F. arisanus occurrences. The B. dorsalis model showed the following areas are at risk for invasion, parts of the Americas: the West Indies, most of Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, northern China, and northern Australia. The F. arisanus niche model had less climatic suitability than for B. dorsalis. Suitable release locations for F. arisanus for B. dorsalis control include south-central Florida, parts of Central and South America, including French Guiana, limited regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, and coastal Queensland. Limited suitability was found for F. arisanus in California, Peru, Argentina and Chile where releases were proposed. Reconsideration should be given to release F. arisanus in the Americas, especially if B. dorsalis becomes established.
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Details
- Title
- Modeling the climatic suitability of Fopius arisanus and its host fly Bactrocera dorsalis
- Creators
- Janet M. Lane
- Contributors
- John D. Stark (Chair)Joan Qiong Wu (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Biological Systems Engineering, Department ofWee L YEE (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Entomology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Number of pages
- 114
- Identifiers
- 99900524866801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis